Law Offices of Tony S. Adderley, Los Angeles Social Security Disability Attorney

Getting a denial letter from Social Security hits hard, like you studied for the test, showed up early… and still flunked. But here’s the good news: most people are denied the first time, and MANY win their benefits on appeal. A denial is not the end of the road; it’s just the beginning of the real process.

This guide walks you through every step of the SSDI appeals process, explains why claims get denied, breaks down the most effective evidence strategies, and shows how our team helps turn a denial into an approval.

Quick Action Steps After a Denial

Before you stress-scroll Google at 2 AM, start here:

• Read your denial letter carefully. Look for the “Explanation of Determination.” That’s your roadmap.
  
• Mark your deadline. You usually have 60 days to appeal (SSA assumes you received the letter 5 days after the date on it).
  
• Don’t start over. Always file an appeal, never a new application.
  
• Call our office for a free case review. We’ll map out what went wrong and what evidence will fix it.
  

Your SSDI Appeals Process: Step by Step

1) Reconsideration

What it is: A complete re-review of your claim by a different Disability Determination Services examiner.

Deadline: 60 days.
What you file:

• SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration)
  
• SSA-3441 (Disability Report - Appeal)
  
• SSA-827 (Medical Records Release)
  

How cases get approved here:

• New medical evidence
  
• Updated treatment records
  
• Clarified onset dates
  
• Proof your condition has worsened
  
• Documentation of failed work attempts
  

If you don’t add new evidence, this stage is usually another “no.” The key is strengthening the record.

2) Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

This is the big one, the stage where most people finally win.

What to expect:
A judge questions you about your limitations. A vocational expert may testify about what jobs (if any) you can perform.

Deadline: 60 days.
What you file:

• HA-501 (Request for Hearing)
  

What moves the needle:

• Strong RFC statements from your treating providers
  
• Consistent treatment and clear medical documentation
  
• Testimony that lines up with your records
  
• Strategic questioning of the vocational expert
  

This is where detailed preparation makes the difference between approval and denial.

3) Appeals Council (AC)

If the ALJ denies your claim, the Appeals Council reviews the case to see if the judge made legal or procedural mistakes.

Deadline: 60 days.
What you file:

• HA-520 or online request
  

Successful AC arguments usually include:

• The judge ignored key medical limitations
  
• The RFC wasn’t supported by evidence
  
• Incorrect weight given to medical opinions
  
• Flawed vocational expert testimony
  

The AC rarely holds a new hearing, it mostly reviews the written record.

4) Federal Court

The final stop for an SSDI case.

This is a federal lawsuit asking a judge to review procedural and legal errors. The goal is often a remand (a do-over hearing), but some cases result in a reversal.

Deadline: 60 days.
Common arguments:

• Legal errors
  
• Improper evaluation of evidence
  
• Violations of due process
  

Federal court is complex, this is not a DIY stage.